Launch of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2015: Talk, Plan, Live

Today is the national launch of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2015. Here in Liverpool we would like to officially introduce our awareness poster campaign and ‘5 Things To Do Before You Die’ booklet, which contains an overview of key actions you should think about taking in preparation for the future.

 

See our posters below:

 

Find out more about the booklet by viewing the ‘5 Things’ tab. Alternatively, you can download the booklet from our ‘Downloads’ page.

 

 

We have an exciting week ahead with events taking place on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday (click HERE to see what’s happening!). All of our events are free of charge, so head on down and Talk, Plan, Live!

This Year's Dying Matters Events in Liverpool

As part of Dying Matters Awareness Week (18-24 May 2015), The Bucket Project is hosting three events: ‘Memories’ at Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool; ‘This Event Won’t Kill You’ at Quaker House; and ‘May Day of the Dead Celebration’ at Siren Café.

 

The theme of Dying Matters Awareness Week 2015 is ‘Talk, Plan, Live’, an action-focused theme emphasising that we only get one chance to have our dying wishes met, which is why it’s vital to talk, plan and make arrangements for the end of life – before it’s too late. The Bucket Project will be launching their brand new ‘5 Things To Do Before You Die’ practical booklet, which covers:  

• Talking to your loved ones about end of life wishes 
• Making it legal and writing a will 
• Planning for your funeral and recording the details 
• Considering organ donation and sharing your decision 
• Thinking about your future care needs

Here are the details of the three events organised by The Bucket Project:

 

‘Memories’ – Marie Curie

Wednesday 20th May from 1-3pm

Marie Curie Hospice, Woolton, L25 8QA

 

 

We invite you to share a photograph and a story of your late loved one with a warm drink and slice of cake. We’re creating a Memory Wall for friends and families of the people cared for by Marie Curie.

 

We often tend to focus on the sadness and loss when someone dies, but it’s also good to take time to remember and celebrate the life they lived and the memories made. Members of staff and volunteers will be in attendance to listen to your stories and share some of their own.

 

‘This Event Won’t Kill You’

Thursday 21st May from 10am-5pm

Quaker House, School Lane, L1 3BT

 

 

Unique to the Northwest: open event with a range of stalls, talks, discussions and displays. Call in between 10am-5pm to find out everything you need to know about end of life and death. See the launch of our special ‘5 Things To Do Before You Die’ practical booklet along with our remembrance tree and altar, interactive DEATH lettering, Before I Die postcards and much more. Be one of the first to take part in this special event, in partnership with: Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool, Age Concern, Sahir House, Jackson Canter Quality Solicitors, Woodlands Hospice, Liverpool CCG, Co-operative Funeralcare, Child Bereavement UK, Philosophy in Pubs, Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool, Tower Law, Liverpool CCG and Liverpool Bereavement Service.

 

‘May Day of the Dead Celebration’

Saturday 23rd May from 1-3pm

Siren Café, St James Street, L1 0AB

 

 

Toast departed loved ones and bring along a photograph of them to display on our altar, or send us one in advance and we can print it for you. Join us for free cake, drinks and conversation. A relaxed and casual event based on the Mexican tradition Dios de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead); it is typically celebrated on 1st November but we’re bringing a spring theme and hosting a ‘May Day of the Dead Celebration’. Photographs of departed loved ones will sit in decorated frames alongside colourful skulls and paper flowers. We talk about the lives of those passed and try not to focus on the sadness of our loss. The event ends with a toast, a smile and a sense of keeping their memories alive.

 

“This year, a key theme to our events is remembrance and celebrating the lives of the people we loved. Sometimes, we tend to focus on the sadness of their death and we want people to remember the happier times of their life. Our ‘Memories’ and ‘May Day of the Dead Celebration’ aim to provide a space to come together and share memories of those that have died. The open day ‘This Event Won’t Kill You’ will provide practical advice, interesting talks and creative displays and we have a number of charities, services and businesses hosting information stalls and leading a number of interesting discussions.”

 

- Rachael McKindley, Project Manager of The Bucket Project

 

For further information regarding The Bucket Project, please call Rachael McKindley on 0151 801 1488 or e-mail at: rachael.mckindley@mariecurie.org.uk. Alternatively, you can follow us on Facebook at the following address: www.facebook.com/TheBucketProject.

 

 

Impact Survey

The Bucket Project began engaging the community of Liverpool around the topic of death in 2011 and are currently funded until March 2016. As we progress, we need to develop different ways to monitor our impact and effectiveness.

If you are aware of The Bucket Project, have attended an event, picked up a newsletter or found us online - we ask you to spare 5 minutes of your time to complete our Impact Survey, either online by visiting Survey Monkey or downloading the document from our Downloads page and returning to us either by post or email.

Your 5 minutes could help us evidence the need for an engagement project like ours, which helps people become more comfortable talking about end of life and death. We can also find out what works best, and what doesn't, so we can make the best use of our time.

Thank you in advance. Even by reading this far means that The Bucket Project has reached you.

5 Things To Do Before You Die...

Dying Matters Awareness Week is fast approaching and we have launched 5 icons alongside an information page  that indicate steps you should consider taking before you die.

 

 

 

 

Talk

 

Discuss end of life wishes with loved ones

 

 

 

 

 

 

Write

Make it legal; create a will and power of attorney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plan

 

Think about and record your funeral wishes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share

Consider organ donation and share your decision

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Care

Plan for your future care needs

 

 

 

 

 

Visit our brand new ‘5 Things’ page for more information and links to relevant organisations, services and resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liverpool: Events in March

Don’t miss out on these events coming up this month in Liverpool. Child Bereavement UK is hosting an open day on the 19th March from 2-6pm in Runcorn to inform people of the training and bereavement services available. See the poster below for more information.

 

 

 

On Friday 20th March, the CCG and Liverpool City Council are officially launching ‘The Dying Well Community Charter’, from 1:30-5pm. Please see the poster for further information regarding the location of the event.

 

 

 

The Bucket Project hosted a planning meeting to discuss this year’s Dying Matters Awareness Week, the theme being ‘talk, plan, live’. If you would like to get involved in the next meeting and help us keep the topic of death alive, email amy.king@mariecurie.org.uk.

 

We are proud to announce that you can now find us on Pinterest and Instagram!

Holocaust Memorial Day 2015

Image taken from hmd.org.uk

Yesterday was Holocaust Memorial Day, which marked the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Aushwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Candles were lit in Liverpool Town Hall every day on the run up to memorial day.

 

Not only are there events this month in remembrance of those who died during the Holocaust but people who were killed in genocides in Bosnia, Rwanda and Darfur. Across the UK people are ensuring that future generations never forget the awful persecution that so many have faced in the past. Take some time to search for events in your area and read the stories of those who were wrongly persecuted during the Holocaust. Whilst almost 6 million Jewish people were murdered in the death camps, other groups were targeted such as the disabled, political rivals and homosexuals amongst many more. Altogether almost eleven million people were murdered under the Nazi regime.

Image taken from flickr.com

This is still a significant event for many today and there is an obvious national grief. Through this grief we can educate people about the horrors populations have been subjected to in the past and in some places, are still being subjected to today. The only way to move forward is to learn from the past and never forget what happened during each of the genocides that took place.

 

There are a number of events being held this January to remember those who were lost during this time of great suffering, including a number of film screenings and talks at the Museum of Liverpool. Follow this link to find out what events are being run by the National Museums of Liverpool: http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/events/holocaust-memorial-day-listings.aspx

 

Search online for events happening near you throughout January and February.

New Resolutions for a New Year?

Happy New Year from The Bucket Project! Hopefully you had an enjoyable time over the holidays.

 

Image from 1234newyear.com

In December I wrote a post encouraging you to visit those you care about that may be lonely or find Christmas a difficult period, as your time can often be the most valuable present. It turns out that I had to take my own advice over the holidays after an unexpected bereavement in the family. Admittedly, I was nervous before approaching the difficult and sometimes awkward conversation of ‘giving my condolences’. What do you say? What don’t you say? Whilst there might be obvious choices that would not be appropriate in that particular situation, your presence and a listening ear can really provide reassurance and some consolation.

 

I realise more than ever, the importance of being inquisitive and asking questions about your loved one’s lives or upbringing. A year ago I suggested creating a ‘Memory Book’ together with your family or children to record special events and memorable moments, you can view it HERE. Whilst this is a fabulous way of making new memories, why not give older loved ones a book where they can tell their story? You can buy pre-made examples online from a number of sources or you can personalise your own with questions such as:

 

• How did you feel when I was born?
• Tell me about a memorable Christmas in your childhood.
• What was school like?

 

Any of these questions will give you an insight in to the lives of close friends and family prior to your relationship with them. Often people have so many interesting stories to tell, which would be lovely to keep as a reminder of them after they have passed.

 

wanderingamericantravelblog.com

Maybe this year when making resolutions, we could think about those we care about a little more. Instead of changing aesthetical aspects of ourselves such as losing weight, we think about a change on the inside. How about making a conscious effort to consider ways we can help others, such as picking up shopping for an elderly friend or spending an hour with someone we love.

 

I hope that 2015 is a happy and prosperous year for everyone and that people can find the strength and support they need when difficult times arise.

 

If you have been struggling to cope with bereavement or grief, below are some websites you may find helpful:

Dying Matters
Macmillan
Marie Curie